Review: Zeronimo Sparkling Select Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
/A delicate, playful dealcoholized sparkling wine that has critics in love
Zeronimo non-alcoholic wines are new on the scene, and are causing quite a stir. This revolutionary brand is produced in Austria at Heribert Bayer, a well-known family-owned winery. The wineries trademark wine In Signo Leonis is a highly awarded 98-point red blend of Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt & Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. They were the first winery in the world to dealcoholize a wine of this stature. You can read the review of the Zeronimo Leonis Blend here.
The winery is leading the way in the conversation around finding balance and enjoying wine with or without alcohol at any time for any reason. Austrians are catching on, because founder Katja Bernegger says that almost one out of every four bottles sold through their winery store is a bottle of non-alcoholic wine.
The Sparkling Select is one of four styles offered as dealcoholized options. It joins the red Leonis Blend, a Gruner Veltliner and a Blaufrankish. Over the past few months, founders Patrick and Katja have been hosting tastings and sharing bottles with people in the wine community and there have been rave reviews from critics that this non-alcoholic wine truly ‘sparkles’ in the category.
Aroma
On the nose, Sparkling Select is fresh, crisp and lightly floral with a hint of fresh lemon. It really reflects the aromatics inside the bottle.
Taste
This non-alcoholic sparkling wine is definitely a love story to native Austrian varietals. The wine is a blend of rivaner, gruner veltiner and a cool-climate muscat grape called gelber muskateller. The aromatics in this off-dry blend are a beautiful marriage between all three of these varietals, accentuated with subtle notes of elderflower, honey and a hint of fruit. The label says pineapple, but I wouldn’t say it has any tropical notes - it’s more of a sunny disposition. There’s a hint of nuttiness to round out the gentle but complex blend. There’s also a very faint salinity which balances a nice light acidity.
Mouthfeel
The liquid is creamy with light-to-medium body, with a light effervescence that just sings on your tongue.
What to pair with Zeronimo Sparkling Select
This is a very light and elegant wine, so it will be a great pairing with soft cheeses, cold appetizers, fish en papillote, and fresh seafood.
Overall, this non-alcoholic sparkling wine is really stunning. It’s heads above every other sparkling wine in the category - no matter how much you try and tell me French Bloom is IT. And as the holidays are approaching, this will be the perfect gift for anyone on your list - drinker or not!
Score: 98 points
Where To Buy Zeronimo Wines
U.S.: Ocean Beach Brands
Canada: The Sobr Market
How we score wines at Some Good Clean Fun:
95 to 100 - An excellent drink with a great personality. An example that stands out among its peers
90 to 94 - An accomplished drink with considerable personality, character and complexity. A classic example of its style or variety.
85 to 89 - A perfectly well-made drink which provides an enjoyable drinking experience.
80 to 84 - An acceptable but simple drink, lacking distinction.
